Behind the groundbreaking success of for KING + COUNTRY lies a story of resilience, creativity, and above all, family. Joel and Luke Smallbone, the dynamic brothers at the helm of this four-time Grammy Award winning band, owe much of their innovative spirit to the values and experiences instilled in them by their family. Their journey from a struggling immigrant family to global music icons is a testament to how familial bonds can shape and drive innovation.
The Smallbone family’s story, as depicted in the biopic UNSUNG HERO, is one of determination in the face of adversity. Moving from Australia to the United States with little more than hope and a love for music, the family faced significant challenges, including poverty and the struggle to find their place in a new country without family, furniture, a car, or income. These early hardships were crucial in forging the innovative mindset that has become a hallmark of for KING + COUNTRY.
In an interview with Forbes, Joel Smallbone reflected on how these experiences shaped their approach to music and life, saying that without the experience, he and Luke might not have become artists. “We were backed so far into a corner as a family that it was war. We realized that if we don’t band together – if we don’t find a way to collaborate, to compromise, to create – we won’t exist,” he said. This mentality of survival through creativity has driven the band’s innovative endeavors, pushing them to explore new ways to connect with their audience . “The building blocks of what it takes to be entrepreneurial, to think outside the box, to have a dream and chase it, were formed during that time,” Joel said.
Luke credits the difficult aspects of his childhood with giving him the confidence to pursue his dreams. “I had the privilege of living in a household of a father who was a risk taker,” he said. “It was clear that when you invest in something and believe in it, you owe it to the exploration of what can be.” In the early days of his marriage and music career, he struggled financially yet persisted. “Because it was so clearly demonstrated to us as children that you go out and see what can be, it gave me the confidence to do it.”
for KING + COUNTRY is a larger Smallbone family affair than brothers Joel and Luke, with father David and brother Josh managing the band, brother Benjamin producing many of their videos, and brother Daniel as lighting director. The family began working with sister Rebecca St. James, also a Grammy winner. Luke acknowledges that working with family involves challenges but ultimately drives innovation, saying, “if you don’t have incredible debate and intense disagreement, you’ll never get to the next level of excellence.” He acknowledges that once you achieve a certain level of success, those working for you may either do what you say or leave when disagreement arises. “The gift of family is that Joel and I can have that disagreement, but here’s the truth: I still have to do Christmas and Thanksgiving with this guy.” He credits the depth of family relationships with the band’s excellence because families are willing to put their job on the line for what’s best, whereas employees might back down.
Family influence is evident not just in the music but in the way they approach their careers. “The economics of being an immigrant, of growing up in poverty, of being homeschooled, of never going to college – you actually spend a lot of your life understanding your weaknesses very well,” Joel said. Yet he noted, “understanding my weaknesses has actually been one of my great strengths, because it forced me to adapt. I may not be as great a musician as the next person, so I focus on presenting and performing. I don’t have the voice that I might need to carry the whole thing but my brother does, so we collaborate and do it together.” He credits his weaknesses with fostering the band’s uniqueness. This self-awareness has allowed them to carve out a distinctive niche in the music industry, blending different genres and styles to create something truly original.
Luke has been public about the personal and family health challenges he’s experienced as an adult: a life-threatening, two-year battle with ulcerative colitis and nearly losing his two-month-old son prior to life-saving skull reconstruction surgery. Yet he describes struggle as a great gift in life. “When you learn how to overcome insane struggle, that’s where innovation exists,” he said. “I find it amazing that we run from struggle as much as we do, but it’s pretty much everbody’s story. My life got incredibly complicated and there’s been a lot of sadness, but it taught me invaluable lessons that have been the great gift of God in my life. Anything that is worthwhile usually comes from an insane amount of struggle.”
As they engage with audiences in their tours, including the current 31-city Unsung Hero Tour, the annual A Drummer Boy Christmas tour in December, and the newly announced, limited engagement Christmas concert film December 5-9, innovation and family continue to be guiding forces. The tours include automated platforms, light shows, and unique technology that showcase their musical talent and their ability to create and connect with audiences in new and meaningful ways.
for KING + COUNTRY’s story powerfully reminds us that innovation is often born out of necessity and that the lessons we learn from our families can profoundly shape our paths. As they continue to evolve and push the boundaries of what is possible in music, the Smallbone brothers remain deeply rooted in their family’s values—values that continue to drive their creative journey.
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